Claude in Paris, 1950
Encounters with Alice B. Toklas & Letters to James Merrill
Dear Readers,
First, let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for being here and engaging with Extracts. To my paid subscribers, a special thank you for your support—it allows me to continue sharing Claude’s remarkable work in depth.
As many of you know, Claude and I shared the last 18 years of his life together. His journal—spanning over eight decades and more than 65,000 pages—is one of the most remarkable records of a life lived fully. Preserving and sharing it has been both a privilege and a challenge, one that I’ve approached with the utmost care and reverence.
When Claude passed in 2013, I knew I wanted to share his work someday, but the enormity of the task—and the depth of my own grief—kept me from starting for many years. It wasn’t until recently that my now-husband Edward urged me to revisit this work that I finally felt ready. Edward, who has been my unwavering partner in life, has seen how meaningful it is for me to reconnect with Claude’s words. Far from feeling overshadowed, Edward understands that this project allows me not only to honor Claude’s legacy but also to celebrate the time we shared and the extraordinary life he led.
Edward’s encouragement reminds me of one of Claude’s greatest gifts: his belief in connection and storytelling. Whether through his journals, his letters, or his conversations, Claude had an unmatched ability to connect deeply with the people in his life. Today, I’m sharing letters that beautifully illustrate this duality—serving as both passionate love letters to the poet James Merrill (1926-95) and detailed accounts of his time in Paris. Written with a breathless expectancy, these letters capture Claude’s anticipation of reuniting with Merrill in just a matter of days in the south of France. At the same time, they recount his vivid encounters with Alice B. Toklas and her literary circle, blending the personal and the narrative-rich in a way that only Claude could achieve.
Claude in Paris with Alice B. Toklas
In 2021, I was approached by Francesca Wade, a biographer immersed in the life of the iconic American novelist and poet, Gertrude Stein (1874-1946). Wade, whose acclaimed book Square Haunting (2020) offered fresh perspectives on literary history, is currently completing Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife, set for release May 22, 2025. Her work explores not only Stein’s life but also the enduring legacy she cultivated with Alice B. Toklas and the network of relationships that shaped her world.
Claude Fredericks played a significant role in Wade’s research. She recently described him as ‘one of the most fascinating characters I’ve loved researching for my book,’ highlighting his correspondence with Toklas, his work as a printer, and the pivotal role his printing of Stein's unpublished works played in sparking a revival of interest in Stein’s legacy after her death. Among the materials I shared with Wade were letters Claude wrote to Merrill, his lover and creative partner, during this extraordinary period.
These letters offer a rare glimpse into Claude’s impressions of Toklas, their discussions of Stein’s work, and the vibrant literary circles he encountered. Toklas emerges as more than Stein’s widow—she is a force in her own right, sharp, witty, and deeply invested in carrying forward Stein’s legacy. Through their conversations, Claude gained not only insight but also a sense of kinship that profoundly influenced him.
What follows is a detailed exploration of these letters. Paid subscribers can access the full commentary and the holograph uploads below, where I dive into the letters’ themes—Claude’s awe for Toklas, his reflections on Paris and its literary circles, and his deepening relationship with Merrill. These are moments that bridge personal and artistic inspiration, offering a vivid portrait of a young man fully immersed in his world.
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